The release of the Keanu Reeves film The Matrix Reloaded contributed to a growth in games software sales last month. During May, sales of the movie's spin-off game were strong, according to the British Retail Consortium's (BRC) latest Sales Monitor.
The success of Enter the Matrix was good news for the leisure goods market, which also enjoyed growth in music sales driven by albums.
However, sales of singles continued to decline.
Overall, mixed May weather benefited some areas, but adversely affected others, and the war on Iraq distorted spending. Total sales grew by 4.3 per cent in May, or 1.5 per cent on a like-for-like basis.
The performance is a sharp slowdown from the Easter-boosted April, which saw total sales up 7.6 per cent and like-for-like sales up 4.8 per cent.
Amanda Aldridge, head of retail at KPMG, which compiles the sales figures on behalf of the BRC, said clothing retailers in particular had a roller coaster ride because of the changeable weather.
'The only real highlight in a month of difficult trading is footwear, which has shown growth well above the average,' said Aldridge.
Digital imaging equipment, such as digital cameras and camcorders, were the only good performers in the electrical and electronic sector, where hi-fi equipment continued to suffer.
Food and drink retailers benefited from the run-up to the final May bank holiday.
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